Concerns Raised Over Unresolved Tiger Deaths in India: 88 Cases Since 2020
88 Tiger Deaths Unresolved Since 2020, Multiple Unexplained, Reveals RTI
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A Right to Information (RTI) request has revealed that 88 tiger deaths in India from 2020 to 2021 remain unresolved, with no confirmed causes or investigations completed. Major reserves like Bandhavgarh and Kaziranga are affected, raising alarms about wildlife monitoring and accountability in the country.
- 0188 tiger deaths remain unresolved since 2020, with no confirmed causes.
- 02Major reserves affected include Bandhavgarh, Kanha, and Kaziranga.
- 03Many cases suggest poaching but lack legal closure.
- 04The National Tiger Conservation Authority has set a deadline for pending reports.
- 05Wildlife activists warn that unresolved cases could lead to unpunished wildlife crime.
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A recent Right to Information (RTI) request has uncovered that 88 tiger deaths recorded in India between 2020 and 2021 remain unresolved, raising significant concerns about wildlife monitoring and accountability. The cases span across major reserves, including Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Panna, Kaziranga, Tadoba, Dudhwa, and Corbett, with many deaths reported from within protected areas. Despite some instances indicating possible poaching, investigations have not reached legal closure. The records show that many of these deaths are marked as 'US' (Under Scrutiny/Unnatural), yet the cause of death remains unrecorded in numerous cases. Madhya Pradesh, home to the highest tiger population in India, has a notable share of these pending cases, while Maharashtra, Assam, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand also report unresolved incidents. Experts highlight the lack of essential documentation, such as post-mortem reports and forensic analyses, which could compromise evidence. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has mandated states to submit pending reports by January 27, 2026, warning that cases may be closed without resolution. Activists argue that this could undermine accountability and allow wildlife crime to persist unpunished, with RTI activist Ajay Dubey stating, 'This is not closure, this is burial.'
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The unresolved cases hinder efforts to combat wildlife crime and protect tiger populations in India, potentially allowing poaching to continue unchecked.
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